Are Iraq's Detainees Treated Fairly?

November 14, 2007
Are Iraq's Detainees Treated Fairly?

Whether guilty or innocent, those detainees are then likely to be in for a months-long journey
of questioning and petitions. Citing a provision of the Geneva Convention and U.N. Security
Council resolutions, U.S. forces in Iraq claim authority to arrest individuals deemed a threat to
either the government of Iraq or U.S.-led multinational troops in the country. Initially, anyone
arrested by U.S. forces can be held informally for about 14 days before their case gets officially
started. After that, the detainee is sent to a U.S. detention compound if military officials
decide there is enough evidence of insurgent violence or militia activity.